Take A Stand
While my first thought in response to “the most important lesson I have learned in my life” is letting things go, I actually think it’s quite the opposite. In fact, there is no way for us, as the imperfect human beings we are, to let things go until we have taken a stand for something. You’ve heard the quote “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything,” right? Although these words can be tossed around very lightly, they do hold a meaning far more than my brain can wrap around. Since I was young, I’ve always been easily influenced. Unfortunately, this led to a lot of trouble as I was pressured into doing things that certainly did not help my wellbeing. When I was 15, I lost myself in the use of drugs and alcohol, simply because my “friends” were doing it. The consequences were harsh, but this was the beginning of my life lesson. In those moments of reaching rock bottom, I began to find myself. From where I am in life today, I know that it is absolutely vital that we come to an understanding of what our beliefs and opinions are. Not only on world topics such as politics, but also on those subjects that, when it comes down to it, can affect our own happiness. Comparing the effects to life or death might be an extreme, but to allow ourselves to be pushed and shoved by all the winds that come our way, and not once put our foot down, is the beginning of a downhill road. The most important lesson that I have learned in life, and one that is applicable for every human being, is to take a stand for what I represent.